On Fri, 30 Nov 2007, Colin Guthrie wrote: > Has anyone priced up how cheap they could make a pulse server? > > * Small mobo with not very powerful CPU. > * Sound output (obviously) > * Small amount of ram > * Ethernet (wired and/or wireless) > * Onboard flash or PXE capable boot > > It's a Friday and I'm struggling to do any real work..... ;) I've been looking at the Koolu Thin Client ( http://koolu.com ): $200 Canadian + $39 shipping; add $100 for a 80 Gb laptop disc; AMD Geode (i386 family, with FPU) at 500 MHz, 512Mb RAM, AC97 sound (mic/headphone), one 802.3 ethernet (10/100 MHz), four USB-2.0, power under 10W (from wall wart, no fan), size 14 x 14.5 x 3.5 cm, can boot from internal disc (if present), USB flash memory, or net (PXE). Also looking at http://www.fic.com.tw/product/minipc.aspx for the First International Computer "Mini PC Ion A603" (FIC is believed to sell under the Everex brand): this appears identical to the Koolu, and from comments on Koolu's website I don't know whether Koolu developed the mobo and package and then sold the product line to FIC, or whether Koolu is now reselling the Everex Ion, or both. For some reason, Koolu is currently behind on shipments :-( Also an apparently identical product is resold by NorthTec ( http://www.norhtec.com/ ) which calls it the "New MicroClient"; for $250 USD you get 256 Mb RAM and a 40 Gb disc. NorthTec has other interesting boxes. You mentioned a "not very powerful CPU". A few years ago a 500 MHz CPU would have been top of the line. As long as I don't do 3D graphics or compositing, and don't run a modern Desktop Environment that's almost as bloated as Windows, 500 MHz is going to be total overkill for my home server. James F. Carter Voice 310 825 2897 FAX 310 206 6673 UCLA-Mathnet; 6115 MSA; 405 Hilgard Ave.; Los Angeles, CA, USA 90095-1555 Email: jimc at math.ucla.edu http://www.math.ucla.edu/~jimc (q.v. for PGP key)
